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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Red in Winter, Warm and Bright

Redin Winter, Warm and Bright

A RedRose

Red in winter lends a kind of warmth and brightness to cold gray days. A
crocheted rose came in the mail for the Lady-of-the-House. She is as pleased as
punch with its shades of red. A welcome feminine accent, it is pinned it to the
hat she knit for herself. Lisa of Happy in Dole Valley crochets posies in
pretty colors for her etsy.

A Red Coat

Some years back the Man-of-the-House came across a red wool coat in the
community thrift store. He bought it for his wife for ten dollars. “Wear the
old coat, buy the new kindle,” came to mind. This is the Lady-of-House’s modern
twist on Benjamin Franklin’s “Wear the old coat, buy the new book.”

This 18th
century American, of relentless curiosity and ingenuity, would probably approve
of the twist to his motto. The priority is the same.

How long will it be before
the Lady-of-the-House gets used to her kindle and appreciates it for its
convenience, economy and ability to pack whole bookcases into its memory? A
printed page may always seem the normal
thing to her but she is open to trying new things.

A Red Ball of Yarn

Do you know how to wind a ball of yarn so that it can be drawn up from
the middle? Make a tail. Place this tail between thumb and forefinger. Wind the
yarn around it loosely. Continue to wind
loosely in varying directions with three fingers now, keeping watch that the
tail is always accessible.

Wool responds better to being knit up when it is allowed to keep its
natural elastic kink and hasn’t been held taunt in a tight ball. A mother, too,
responds better to her husband, her children, the day’s duties, when she is not
uptight – can pace herself and reserve some minutes to unwind.

A Red Shawl

Fine red yarn on narrow needles makes a bright lace edging. After the
strand of lace reached the desired length to edge a shawl for Helen, the
Lady-of-the-House attached yarn to the center of the strand.

To begin the body of the shawl, pick up three stitches at the center and
knit across. Pick up two stitches at the end of each row - knitting one at a time as you pick them up. Turn.
Knit the next row picking up and knitting two, etc.

Repeat, and watch the garter
stitch shawl form into a half-moon.

A Skirt with Red

Wool plaid skirts are a favorite of the Lady-of-the-House. She collects
them when the price is right. Knowing this, the Man-of-the-House stopped into
the Pendleton outlet while he was running errands. “I found a skirt you might
like,” he reported on his track phone. “I think it’s a catalog return. It’s been
marked down three times and is your size.”

“What does it look like?” What are the colors?”

“It’s plaid in gray and red.”

“Hmm, How short?”

“Let me ask the sales lady. . . . She says it’s petite and would be just below
the knee if you’re 5’4” or shorter. If you don’t like it we can return it.”

“Well, okay.”

At home, with the skirt out of the bag the Lady-of-the-House feasted her
eyes on its colors and ran a hand over the warm-as-a-blanket fabric.

“Do you like it?” asked the Man-of-the-House.

“Yes, I do,” she replied. He was instantly proud of his purchase - and
again when she thanked him in her usual manner.

She likes the skirt’s 1940’s style. But she has one quibble. She is
still getting used to the so-called “natural waistlines” of this century.
Whatever it’s called – it means “off the waist” to her. Anyway, she is happy at
how her butter-colored cardigan picks up the gold thread of the skirt, warm and
bright.

A Story with a “Patch of Scarlet”

A story that could turn into a perennial read for those with early
American leanings is A Gathering of Daysby
Joan W. Blos, awarded a Newberry Medal. It is a little novel, meant for girls
ages 8 -12 - so it states on the back cover - but it proves a warm and bright
companion to the Lady-of-the-House - a grown-up who can get uptight with life’s
trials and cares. Trials and cares are common to most of us and it helps to be
transported to another time and place - to unwind – to be put in company with
the intimate lives of the people of a story. It is a relaxing comfort to the
Lady-of-House to read this fictional dairy of Catherine age 13.

Catherine begins her diary on October 17, 1830 in the state of New
Hampshire where, like most of her neighbors, her father is a farmer. This is a
gentle, quiet story where Catherine records the struggles and joys of pioneer
living, her father’s remarriage, and the loss of her closest friend. She takes
part in the traditions of a rural community. Although there is no mention of Christ
Jesus, the family observes the Sabbath, respects and looks up to Providence.

There is historical flavor to the writing, such as the subtleties of
Catherine’s speech. Because the author did extensive research, pouring over
archived newspaper articles of the 1830s, Catherine’s choice of words seem
natural and so convincing that, along with its other early American atmospheric
details, the diary seems more real than fiction.

“ Of this I shall remember forever the look of that cold and
wintery clearing, the quilt tucked in the foot of the tree and folded carefully
to display a patch of scarlet.”

Catherine comes of age during the course of the diary. She records
timeless truths she meets in her speller and in life, such has her father’s:

“It requires but little discernment to discover the
imperfections of others; but much humility to acknowledge our own.”

A Red Ribbon

Have you ever noticed how the design on a Whitman’s Sampler
resembles a traditional cross-stitch sampler? A deep red satin ribbon was
wrapped around a box of four luscious chocolates - a February surprise for the
Man-of-the-House. He shared his surprise with the Lady-of-the-House. And
thanked her in his usual manner.

22 comments:

Lovely post, no surprise, as I enjoy all of your blog posts! Red is my favorite color and it is a color that I use in decorating our home and wearing. I have a Kindle and although I agree that there is nothing quite like holding a real book, especially when enjoying the photos or prints, I do like the convenience of the Kindle. There is so many free books through the internet and our local library.

Having just learned how to crochet flowers, I enjoyed seeing the beautiful one in your picture. Mine aren't quite that perfect yet! :)

And, since my girls and I are delving into knitting (the girls for the first time, me as a sort of re-kindling of my first craft) I enjoyed seeing the red shawl for the doll.

And I enjoyed the twist on Franklin's "Wear the old coat..." - I enjoy my Kindle, too. Although, since reading somewhere about the nebulous-ness of e-publishing, Amazon's ideas of who owns what and whatnot, I've stopped buying higher priced books for my Kindle, as they might not always "be mine." Still, for reading in bed (and ease of using the dictionary in bed) a Kindle can't be beat!

Our preacher has a holder for his hand-held-electronic-note-pad that has a bend in it that fits the hand more naturally than do the flat ones. I think I might be willng to try a Kindle if I can find one of these cases.

I like the quote about discerning the faults in others. It is a helpful reminder to be more.

Signs of spring are everywhere around our neighborhood. I'm hoping for one more snow, though!

Oh Karen, how happy I am when a see a new post of yours! Thank you for all the loveliness of this one. You look so cheery in your red ensemble, but the photograph of you in your new plaid skirt is simply stunning! Your longer hair is very becoming and so is the new skirt. Helen's red shawl if perfect. And finally, thank you so much for the introduction to the (new-to-me) book, Gathering of Days. I have liked every book recommendation you have given on your blog, and so I am confident I will enjoy this one also. It seems I am always saying "thank you" in my comments, but this is only because you give so much to us, your readers. Happy February to you and to the Man-of-the-House!Teresa

I'm all alone having the third awful night in a row getting my five year to stop crying and to stay in bed, after a horrid day dealing with my nine year old who won't do his homeschool work and has hysterics about going to an actual school - and I so loved finding this cheery, interesting post in my reader! Thank you for being a bright spot in a dismal day.

I love all the red.You look quite lovely in your red coat.If I wish to do the lace such as you have here,do you have a pattern you follow.?I think that should make me a good wintery day project. Thanks again for brightening our days,Blessings, Dawn E. Brown

Beautiful broach from lovely Lisa.. Thanks for the mini shawl instruction. I have many a chilly dolly in this house and making lace in miniature is about all my attention span can handle these days. :)

The Petra song ~ wonderful lyrics. I'm afraid the only version I knew was Tim Hawkins goofy twist on this catchy tune. I found myself singing ridiculous words all day once it got in my head. I'm very happy to have the original!

I do remember those days of little children when the Man-of-the-House was away on business. Oh, it can be unnerving - especially if a child is sick or teary-eyed. I also sympathize with those moms who have husbands away in the armed forces.

So glad this post was a bright spot on a cloudy day.

The strand of knitted lace is from Nicky Epstein's book, "Knitting on the Edge" page 72 "Molly's Lace."

I am very fond of the character Molly in Mrs. Gaskill's "Wives and Daughters" and perhaps this made knitting it all the more charming. Metal sock needles worked better than my wooden circular #1s. Because of the (sl2, k3tog, psso) I needed a pointy needle. I think you will enjoy this lace pattern.

Sipping a cup of coffee this dark and quiet Saturday morning while catching up on my blog reading, what might I find? Dear Karen, I am so thrilled that you are enjoying the brooch I sent your way...it goes perfectly with your red hat and coat ($10? What a deal!). That skirt is lovely on you as is the longer hair style. :) Like the other ladies who comment here, I appreciate all the wonderful book recommendations you make; my AnnaLynn is going to love "A Gathering of Days" -- she's reading through the Laura Ingalls Wilder books this year as we're studying early American history. She's enamored with the simplicity and community of pre-electric life. I've revived a hibernating shawl project and am working my way towards finishing by Easter. Thanks for sharing the Coloring song. :)

I do appreciate how women find delight in the month of February. This post "tickled me red" with its delights of domesticity and femininity.

You look beautiful in your gifted skirt! I know what you mean about waistlines...and for me it is also a matter of knee lengths. As with the Kindle versus the printed page, I find I learn to adapt with the waves of change to whatever degree I desire.

You make me want to learn to knit. I take pleasure in reading your posts because they are encouraging to me as a homemaker. Our world is so messy and it's easy to forget the joys of simply being at home and loving your family. Also, I found a wool coat at a local thrift store years ago. I love it and still wear it.

Dear Karen,How I adore the color red also:-) I knit my Tasha Tudor shawl in it and at first glance I thought it was the same as your doll's. Different edging , but close. I have a closet of plaid/tartan skirts! Your cloche hat looks charming on you too. Did you knit that? I have been looking for a pattern for one if you happen to have it to share. Thank you for the book recommendation-I love short diaries like that I can read a snip of here and there:-) As always, lovely to visit with you.Warmly,Suzanne

I am sitting with your comments on my lap top - in the sunny parlor. I like knowing something about my readers. What a pleasant visit.

The HatI improvised while I knit my hat - with size 10 dp needles and two strands of wool. It is a simple variation of a rolled cap, really. I cast on more stitches than a cap to make it wider at the brim. After the roll I decreased to give it a snug wind-proof fit at the ears. Then I increased a few rounds to give it a bit of a puffy hat look before decreasing for the top. Sorry, I didn't keep exact records.

"My love is like a red, red rose," is the verse that came to mind this February when I attached the finishing touch.

This Lady of the House enjoys her quiet days with her needles and yarn. At this moment, they are coming mighty handy while she recuperates :) The Kindle goes everywhere she goes :) The color red is one of my favorite colors...I am currently making a crochet shrug for a jumper I just completed. Thank you Karen, for sharing with me today...